I am looking to buy a new HD TV.
just looking for any input or suggestions you guys might have.JawnDiablo - 6-26-2007 at 06:00 AM
lucky....
generally...
BDx13 - 6-26-2007 at 06:43 AM
having just purchased a hdtv myself, i could write pages on this topic. i'm such a bitch about spending money that i do endless research before
reaching into my pocket.
a few things to consider:
- how much do you have to spend?! (of course!)
- how far will you be sitting from the tv (to determine 'ideal' screen size)
- how important is image quality (color accuracy, black levels, shadow details) to you?
- know that 1080p is, at this point, almost exclusively a marketing ploy. it is nearly impossible for the average person to descern the difference
between it and 720p.
- read lots of reviews: cnet.com, avsforum.com, soundandvisionmag.com, plasmatvbuyingguide.com, lcdtvbuyingguide.com
do not buy a hdtv until you have seen it running a standard definiteion signal. seriously, the industry is being heavily criticized
for not properly educating consumers about how HD really works. people walk into a store, see a pretty picture, take the set home, and can't figure
out why the image sucks.
a big part of what makes 'high end' tvs so expensive is the quality of the scaler that's included. the cheapo 42" lcd at walmart looks ok as long as
it is being fed a high def signal. problem is, there's still only so much HD programming out there. once you're stuck looking at a standard
definition signal that has been scaled up to you new HDTV's resolution, it's gonna look like shit.
personally...
BDx13 - 6-26-2007 at 06:53 AM
i prefer plasma over lcd.
when you walk into a store and stare a wall of flatscreens, the lcds will stand out for their higher contract. seiously, at first plasmas may look
downright muddy next to a lcd. but after a while, i found that the color accuracy on plasmas was actually better and more importantly, the black
levels more detailed.
the local best buy was running a HD demo reel that included a wedding scene from The Office. at first i was amazed at just how black the tuxes looked
on the lcds. then, on the plasma, i noticed that the tuxes actually had details like trim on the lapels and pockets or pinstripes. couldn't see that
in the lcd, it was like is was solid black with no detail. that kind of shit drives me crazy.
other factors for me were the viewing angle (our couch is directly in front of the tv, but we also have a chair like 75 degrees off to the side of the
tv and the picture still looks great) and the price/size ratio. we got a 50", and at that size, plasma is almost always going to be a better value.
now, there are alternatives to lcd and plasma. i know defstar steve is a big fan of rear projection tvs, so he'll have a whole different angle for
you to consider.
recommendation...
BDx13 - 6-26-2007 at 07:06 AM
i don't know what your price range is, but probably one of the most popular and best reviewed models out there are the Panasonic 42" plasmas.
depending on the features you're looking for, they can be had from like $1200.
if you already have a sound system, consider buying a monitor, which is basically a tv without integrated speakers. it'll save you a few hundred
bucks.DAK - 6-26-2007 at 09:44 AM
I like the DLP's myself.defstarsteve - 6-26-2007 at 10:26 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DAK
I like the DLP's myself.
that's what I went with
the picture is just as good as either of the other formats, but unlike the others if the bulb goes out you ca nchange it yourself simply for about
200.00
which means the set is a life long investment
I have no reason to buy another tv unless you know they go like 3d holo-vision crapclevohardcore - 6-26-2007 at 10:44 AM
What is a DLP? versus a plasma or LCD?
DLP = ?
LCD = ?
PLASMA = ?MikeCore - 6-26-2007 at 10:52 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by clevohardcore
What is a DLP? versus a plasma or LCD?
DLP = ?
LCD = ?
PLASMA = ?
IMHO
LCD = 1
Plasma = 2
DLP = 3BDx13 - 6-26-2007 at 11:26 AM
an LCD is like a computer monitor, it's super thin and can be hung up (if that's important to you.)
plasma is similar to LCD in that it is flat and illuminates pixels individually, but it uses a different technology to create the picture.
DLP uses a replacable color wheel to create its picture. it's far thinner than a tube tv, but still requires a stand. DLPs are also WICKED light - i
balanced a 65" set with one hand.
here are a few more articles that discuss the pros and cons of different technologies. most of the "issues" you read about (burn in on plasmas,
rainbow effects on dlps, lag time on lcds) have been resolved in newer models.
unfortunatley not.
one of our tvs died,
and i have been thinking about gettin an hdtv
so this just gives me more of a reason.
dont really have the money,
but alot of the bigger stores have 0% finacing for a year.thedog - 6-26-2007 at 12:53 PM
thanks for all the input fellas.
once again thorp board comes thru.BDx13 - 6-26-2007 at 01:28 PM
same thing happened to me - our old tube tv broke for the third time in three years. i couldn't bring myself to pay to get it fixed again, so i gave
it away. two glorious tv-less weeks later, my income tax return showed up. then, BAM, 50" pioneer elite! still went with six month 0% financing
from the hi-fi house, though.DAK - 6-26-2007 at 02:08 PM
I bought a HD TV about three years ago. I bought a 55" Mitsubishi Rear Projection. The plasma, lcd, and dlp were still like $5,000.00 at the time. It
still has a real good picture in HD, but the fucker is 400 lbs. I wish I would have waited. But, who's complaining? I have a few HD channels through
Direct tv and a up-converting dvd player. You have to make sure you hook everything up correctly with the right cables (HDMI). I also have surround
sound system. Who needs the movie theater.
the article makes reference Vizio's 50" plasma. at under $1,500, it is considered one of the best deals available right now. if you have a costco or
a bj's near you, you may be able to find it cheaper. i think they have 42"ers under a grand.
to be clear, vizio is considered value manufacturer - you're not necessarialy gonna get the absolute best picture and latest features. but they are a
small and hungry company, so you are gonna get a very good tv at a great price.
I shop at both BJ's and SAMS CLUB. The sams membership will expire in 3 months and i am not renewing it. BJ's seems to be the one I will stay with. I
was checking out SAMS last week and looking at tv.s The VIZIO brand did have some awsome prices like BD said but I was hasitant of the brand and
manufacturer. Not that I was going to buy right now but man I would love to. I would have a problem passing up the VIZIO and SAMSUNG prices though.
They were really good deals. Problem is when you buy cheap electronics they really are that. CHEAP.
